tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.comments2023-10-30T05:13:42.432-05:00Kurt KnechtKurt Knechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12002414398778950440noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-31437892880364315752017-10-28T11:00:38.389-05:002017-10-28T11:00:38.389-05:00I wish you'd assemble a book containing all yo...I wish you'd assemble a book containing all your prescient stories...it should be required reading for all considering church music as a career. All I had in my day was pdq Bach and the"eccentric" teachers I emulated. Do us all a favor and saturate us world wide:)Pinkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08037387080738650460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-22050895091337293202016-10-08T15:10:22.370-05:002016-10-08T15:10:22.370-05:00Did you know that that you can earn cash by lockin...Did you know that that you can earn <b>cash</b> by locking <b>premium pages</b> of your blog or site?<br />To start just open an account with <b><a href="http://syntaxlinks.com/affiliate-network-reviews/network/12/Mgcash/" rel="nofollow">Mgcash</a></b> and <b>run their content locking plug-in</b>.Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287821785570247118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-54832358893287858592016-08-10T18:55:16.478-05:002016-08-10T18:55:16.478-05:00I am disappointed that you no longer wear mismatch...I am disappointed that you no longer wear mismatched socks..... also missed seeing you recently in Michigan....<br /><br />sjmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04228615842997557050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-44480389795512563122016-06-26T23:38:32.783-05:002016-06-26T23:38:32.783-05:00This is exquisite. I believe the information is tr...This is exquisite. I believe the information is true. I'm using this as humor for my fiction about Handel.Thanks. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13972363856337328109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-50352001060090018362016-06-26T23:37:53.571-05:002016-06-26T23:37:53.571-05:00This is exquisite. I believe the information is tr...This is exquisite. I believe the information is true. I'm using this as humor for my fiction about Handel.Thanks. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13972363856337328109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-45367945278950879732015-11-24T19:30:00.577-06:002015-11-24T19:30:00.577-06:00I do not totally agree with you. I think that the ...I do not totally agree with you. I think that the movement of finger has effect on the sound of the string.<br /><br />Piano makers do not make all keys and their mechanism equally the same. The left keys are heavier than the keys on the right. They need to have more mass to strike harder at the string to make the string to be heard better. The pianist should play the keys on the left harder than the keys on the right.<br /><br />When finger plays keys on the right, only at one very light touch, the entire machine moves, and the pianist has little choices. Thing occurs differently when the keys on the left are pressed. The machines move slower. If the finger touches the key lightly, the hammer moves slower than when the finger strikes the key harder. During the time the hammer starts to move, the finger can push more energy to the hammer, making it move faster and faster.<br /><br />In other words, there are more choices to strike the keys to the left than to play the keys to the right of the keyboard. The range of emotion playing the keys at the left are wider than the range of emotion playing the keys at the right.<br /><br />Besides, playing fast, I mean, striking many keys one by one in a second, there is less choices to express emotion than playing slowly. Emotion is expressed by the variation of speed and power. When many keys are striked one by one in a moment, the differences between each key is pressed is not much. Therefore, the emotion is not easy to express out.<br /><br />I have been a piano repairer, and I am thinking some topics of "Why is Grand Piano ideal?" and "Heavy keys (left side) are not best option to play fast. Light keys (right side) are not good to play slowly. Electronic piano can expand the range of expression for any keys. Can electronic piano be ideal in future?" Please, write me to talk more on the above ideas.<br /><br />My name is AnhMy Tran, a Hartford, CT 06106 resident. My email address is atran6@yahoo.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16159205512350251363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-75910401824590988282015-09-26T10:55:17.107-05:002015-09-26T10:55:17.107-05:00Very interesting . I am planning to write a term p...Very interesting . I am planning to write a term paper about Buxtehude and I am certain the story of his daughter will add a bit of humor. Thank youAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03362851618569431751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-45892639536014722442015-06-03T04:44:32.122-05:002015-06-03T04:44:32.122-05:00Ken Bailey describes something similar in Middle E...Ken Bailey describes something similar in Middle Eastern Culture<br />Do not say, "I missed the train"; say "The Train left without me"<br />Do not say, "I dropped the cup"; say "The Cup left my hand"<br />And many similar observations. Norm Porathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429876948576098800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-5390733551448597742015-05-26T13:31:14.834-05:002015-05-26T13:31:14.834-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18386755201283990281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-17905859802015631222015-05-26T12:27:57.453-05:002015-05-26T12:27:57.453-05:00'The children now love luxury; they show disre...'The children now love luxury; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are tyrants, not servants of the households. They no longer rise when their elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize over their teachers.'<br /><br />- Commonly attributed to SocratesKurt Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03857967531346968245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-73656150842489266482015-05-19T11:38:35.051-05:002015-05-19T11:38:35.051-05:00I remember watching this episode of Vsauce a coupl...I remember watching this episode of Vsauce a couple of years ago. I believe it was actually this episode that made me lose interest in the show (way too intellectual/egg-headed for me).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01191537676647037446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-17472415632278677402015-03-20T07:54:52.627-05:002015-03-20T07:54:52.627-05:00If Lincoln were a liar he would be a Lowly Lincoln...If Lincoln were a liar he would be a Lowly Lincoln driving liar from Lincoln whistleblowerdrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09508191024980402484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-32699641662882073872015-02-12T10:07:47.088-06:002015-02-12T10:07:47.088-06:00I could have added many more graphs: for example, ...I could have added many more graphs: for example, the first time I "experienced" John Cage's Silence, 4'33" back in the mid '60's. The large, captive university audience, of course, became the piece. Audience members in the typically traditional recital hall grew more and more awkwardly restless, began muttering quietly, then not so quietly to one another, shifted around in anticipation in their seats, shuffled their feet and programs, going from politely pianissimo to something considerably less quiet and anxious. After that crescendo the sound and nervous energy subsided a little to the "all right, what's up here?" level. Fortunately, I suppose, some scrutiny of the piece's title revealed that the performance was about over, and they (we) relaxed a bit to the anticipated conclusion. Reflecting over the intervening years about this and many other life experiences surprises me again and again with similarity to this Chopin Prelude shape. And I don't feel that I'm forcing it, merely observing it. Admittedly, I do realize I am now looking for it. As I've understood things, that's kind of what composers and theorists do.ClariTerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01732739541649023875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-27944859544404794262014-12-30T10:57:36.336-06:002014-12-30T10:57:36.336-06:00This story always makes me laugh (and cringe).
And...This story always makes me laugh (and cringe).<br />And apparently he was engraver-shy, because you won't find a picture of him anywhere. Probably afraid somebody would pick him out of a lineup.<br /><br />But here is one reason why he kept his job until the DTs or cirrhosis finished him off in his 40s - <br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEWkUf6c5iAAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14521957659012905653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-30883629985911963672014-12-27T10:31:51.977-06:002014-12-27T10:31:51.977-06:00☺♫♪☺ Snarky? Yes. ☺♫♪☺ But whatever.☺♫♪☺ Snarky? Yes. ☺♫♪☺ But whatever.Norm Porathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429876948576098800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-65029399854531539542014-09-23T10:57:14.000-05:002014-09-23T10:57:14.000-05:00Interesting thoughts, Carolyn. In my experience, i...Interesting thoughts, Carolyn. In my experience, it has often been the exact opposite. Performers that have worked with a composer are much more likely to take leeway with the score. That is, if a conductor doesn't know the composer, they will often justify their decisions by using the score. If a conductor knows a composer, he/she will often say, "Well, I know so and so, and he/she won't mind if we do this." I think the bigger question is whether or not you are having a conversation with the composer in any performance. Are we not having a conversation with Beethoven when we play his music?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12674745024149186478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-44294119714748520672014-09-20T09:54:15.225-05:002014-09-20T09:54:15.225-05:00James, please don't be taken aback. You were c...James, please don't be taken aback. You were certainly referenced, but I'm not trying to suggest a stereotype. I think, quite honestly, that when it comes to conductors there are all sorts and there isn't any real divide between the orchestra and band. I certainly didn't mean to imply any disrespect to you or band directors in general. At least among the conductors that I've played for over the years, there hasn't been any significant difference. Since I don't know band culture as well, I was sincerely asking a question. I know plenty of people who feel the same way about Toscannini.<br /><br />One of the things I find fascinating about the whole discussion is that you are one of the few that is actually standing up for and defending the composer - something that is very close to my heart. Why is that? Why are all of your colleagues so ready to throw the composer's thoughts under the bus?<br /><br />I think you are completely right about all of this. Forgive me if I sometimes post something a little brazen to start a discussion. Glad to have your thoughts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12674745024149186478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-37033817903157267592014-09-19T22:40:00.836-05:002014-09-19T22:40:00.836-05:00I've had an equal experience between band and ...I've had an equal experience between band and orchestra conductors. While there are certainly a number of band directors who are hung up on the precision side of things, I've had a at least as many orchestral conductors who spend 80% of their time talking with the strings about fingerlings and bowings. I've come to wonder whether it may reflect the conductor's comfort level when working with instruments other than their own, even more so than a tendency toward (or away from) precision or passion.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03677993936543475124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-61553439474925214322014-09-19T16:14:29.236-05:002014-09-19T16:14:29.236-05:00Dr. Knecht, I have to tell you I was taken aback a...Dr. Knecht, I have to tell you I was taken aback after reading this blog post. (To anyone who reads this comment, I am the “band” conductor who is referenced.) That you would suggest or stereotype band conductors as less musical than orchestral conductors pushes me to the precipice of being offended. <br /><br />I feel I need to remind you that all conductors first start out as musicians and performers. They make the transition to the podium only after significant amount of technical and musical training on their chosen instrument. They bring to the podium their level of musicianship. If they are an outstanding musician who performs with emotion and passion before they started wearing the hat of conductor, then that musicianship will translate to their musicianship as a conductor and ultimately to the performance by the ensemble they have the privilege to stand in front of. It’s just not an ‘orchestra verses band’ thing. It is not a cultural thing. It’s a musician thing! <br /><br />As for my own personal musicianship as a conductor, despite my standing on the side of the composer during our class discussions and on written assignments, I have often been criticized for making many musical decisions based on feelings and emotions and less about composer intent. During my time here at UNL, I have been pushed to think more about the intention of the composer so that I can make more informed musical choices. I have come to the realization that a performer’s/conductor’s obligation to the composer does not have to be in conflict with the performer. We can honor the composer’s intentions and at the same time present a performance that has our own musicianship and artistry clearly present. <br /><br />To help answer your question at the end of your blog post let me tell you that this is my seventeenth year as a “band” conductor. Nine of those years I also had the opportunity to conductor orchestras as well. I have attended hundreds of band and orchestra concerts in my life including some of the finest bands and orchestra from around the world. Believe me when I say I have attended an equal number of unmusical, passionless orchestra performances as I have band. I have also been moved to tears as many times with bands as with orchestras. The common thread with all of the great musical performances has been the high level of musicality of the players and the conductor, not the group’s instrumentation. <br /><br />I will end with a friendly challenge…come and attend a rehearsal or concert of the UNL Wind Ensemble. Better yet come to my final conducting recital with the UNL Symphonic Band on Sunday, December 14th at 3 pm in Kimball Hall. I promise you will come away with a new perspective on the musicianship of band and band conductors.<br /><br />JDAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00789496515656325208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-71457070753524758462014-09-14T13:34:18.959-05:002014-09-14T13:34:18.959-05:00I thought so. Thanks for confirming, Matt. I'l...I thought so. Thanks for confirming, Matt. I'll get it fixed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12674745024149186478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-64645332039863485662014-09-13T14:16:15.809-05:002014-09-13T14:16:15.809-05:00Except that the picture is of Thomas Tallis, not T...Except that the picture is of Thomas Tallis, not Thomas Weelkes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-2258349229861834632014-08-16T07:06:48.921-05:002014-08-16T07:06:48.921-05:00Ok, everyone. I was definitely having some fun at ...Ok, everyone. I was definitely having some fun at Maslow's expense. I have read Maslow, but it hasn't been since I was an undergrad some 20 years ago. However, I will say that the rigidness of the pyramid and the idea that you have to fulfill the lower levels before you can move up is a fairly standard criticism of Maslow in academic circles. This is what I was trying to poke fun at, Cat. You might not have thought of it as a rigid ladder, but I think Maslow did, and there are better models. Barry, am I wrong about this? Please let me know if I am.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12674745024149186478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-54198592316355772642014-08-14T23:41:51.171-05:002014-08-14T23:41:51.171-05:00When I first heard Maslow's theory it helped m...When I first heard Maslow's theory it helped me to understand my reality in a different way. I have never really been deprived of food, never really worried I might not have a roof over my head, or fresh water flowing from my tap. I didn't see the Pyramid as a black and white rigid ladder of human development. It helped me to understand why my grandma was furious when I chased her chickens and being traumatized, they wouldn't lay eggs. She did not care that my self-esteem was crushed by her correction and disapproval. She was responsible to keep me alive and not once asked me how I felt about eating a meal after all the men were filled and back to work in the cotton field. Their efforts of physically surviving with 7 kids through the Depression took all the energy they had and left them no time or ability to value platitudes or attitudes. In the heart of middle America, in this age of information and mechanized labor, I live in luxury they could not imagine. One of my mother's greatest joys was to look at the soft palm of my hand and not see any scars or blisters. My grandmother would not have understood the satisfaction of this, but my mom was more self-aware, more conscious of personal pain and personal opportunity. I am aware of myself in this place because I am not consumed with physical survival. I know my personality type, my strengths, my favorite brands, and how to start my car with a remote control. None of this will make any difference if I have to dig a well - But I bet I could fall in love with a big strong person who could.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362774938942300937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-22138482548251776462014-08-14T15:17:06.802-05:002014-08-14T15:17:06.802-05:00I wonder, in reading your piece, if you have ever ...I wonder, in reading your piece, if you have ever read Maslow. By that, I am referring to Towards a Psychology of Being; The Farther Reaches of Human Nature; Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences, and his last pieces, published after his death in Future Visions. If so, you would not be caught up in the pyramid (which I don't think was Maslow's doing) and could adventure the provocative spaces associated with Peak and Plateau experiences which at the heart and soul of his work and legacy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02962848804548307973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18587111.post-24945614329802461862014-08-13T14:36:53.479-05:002014-08-13T14:36:53.479-05:00That's inspired by the player piano works of C...That's inspired by the player piano works of Conlon Nancarrow. Look him up on youtube. Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12674745024149186478noreply@blogger.com